Maintenance on ENI plant on July 13 would cause some interruption of power – Jinapor

 

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdullai Jinapor has said the nation is likely to experience a temporary disruption of power supply across the country on Sunday, July 13, as gas suppliers, ENI, turn off their valves for maintenance.

Speaking at a ground breaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the 161kV Anwomaso to Kumasi Transmission line on Tuesday, July 8 the Minister noted that the maintenance of the plant is part of the company’s measures to increase gas production to 270 mm scarf.

The Minister claimed that even though the shutdown may cause some short-term inconvenience, the maintenance work is essential because it will boost gas production, which will benefit the energy sector.

“This Sunday, ENI will turn off their valves temporarily to increase gas production to about 270 MM Scarf. It means that we are stabilizing the energy sector,” he said.

He added that “because the plant will be turned off for a short period within the day for maintenance works we are likely to experience some interruption of power. It is for a good purpose.”

According to the Minister, based on advice from technical persons, the government has resolved to restrain from running the plant on liquid fuels.

“Based on the advice from engineers, I have directed that we do not attempt to run those plants on liquid fuel for that short period,” he stated.

Mr. Jinapor added, “It involves changing nozzles, it involves a lot of work and so if we are going off for about for to six hours you don’t risk it transitioning to liquid fuel only to come back to gas.”

The project reconstruction of the 161kV Anwomaso to Kumasi Transmission line is co-founded by the European Union and Government of France. The transmission line is expected to address low voltage in Kumasi and Dukwaw mining areas, as well as deal with inefficiencies in the system.

The Minister further assured of efforts to minimize the adverse impact of the shutdown.

Meanwhile, the Minister has announced the additional discovery of commercial oil by the ENI as Tullow Oil intends to spend more resources in the upstream sector.